Fabrication of micropillars by laser-induced thermoplastic method

A laser-induced thermoplastic formation technology for three dimension microstructure has been investigated theoretically and experimentally. An experimental system is built up and formation experiments are carried out on different kinds of thermoplastic materials. The appearance dependence of microstructures (micropillars) on the fabricating parameters has been discussed. Critical parameters for microstructure formation are concluded to be laser power, liquid temperature and material absorptance. By analyzing different melting-solidifying conditions, the balance between melting and solidifying velocities has been considered to be necessary for continuous micropillar growth. Based on theoretical analyses, micropillars with better HW ratio and better resolution are demonstrated. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3493180]